Inmate ‘assaulted by prison officer’

POLICE have launched an investigation into an alleged assault on an inmate by a prison officer at HMP Berwyn.

The partner of armed robber William Vallance, who is serving a 12-year sentence, claims he suffered a split lip and bruising.

Lucy Stokes alleges it happened during a “control and restraint” involving six guards at the £250m super prison in Wrexham.

The Prison Service said they have referred the alleged assault to North Wales Police, who confirmed they are investigating.

Ms Stokes, who says she has worked as a prison officer, said: “He suffered a split lip by an officer during a control and restraint, where there should only have been three officers involved. It was heavy handed.”

The claims were put to the Ministry of Justice by the Daily Post, who confirmed the staff member has not been suspended.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “An incident involving a prison officer at HMP Berwyn has been referred to the police. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

A North Wales Police spokesman added: “North Wales Police can confirm we are investigating a report of an assault occasioning actual bodily harm to an inmate at HMP Berwyn on March 21 2018, allegedly committed by a member of staff.”

The assault allegation is the latest in a string of incidents at the jail since it opened last year.

At the opening of an inquest this week, it was thought prisoner Luke Morris Jones, 22, who died after he was found collapsed in his cell on March 31, may have taken the drug Spice.

Jones, of Pen y Gwndwn, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was serving a four-year sentence over a robbery in Llanrwst in which the victim had his jaw broken in three places.

Two prison officers were hospitalised after violence erupted on Easter Sunday when a prisoner launched an attack on several guards. It has led to calls from union leaders for a national roll-out of a pepper spray-like cannister to help keep control.

In February a 25-year-old staff member was arrested as part of an anti corruption probe. She was later released “under investigation”.